Wizards’ World War: Dispatch 23- Back to School

Prince William Middle School, Prince William County, Virginia, U.S. September 14 9:34 a.m.

Click, click, click went Sam’s heels on the polished hallway. I walked a few steps back, notebook in hand. I never seen Sam in business attire, with her hair done up in a bun and her legs wrapped by a knee long skirt. It accentuated her curves enough that I had to keep my nose and mind in my notebook less someone noticed. She radiated a aura of cool confidence befitting a high level staffer of the Senate Intelligence Committee and I the lowly peon of a staff assistant not worth a second look.

A good thing for a wanted man to be.

“As you can see, we have plenty of room,” said Mrs. Taber, the school’s Principal. She pointed at several empty classrooms. “Of course, our current enrollment is thirty-five, but that just means the staff has more time to can concentrate on their individual needs.”

“Have you had any disciplinary problems?” asked Sam.

“Disciplinary problems?” Mrs. Taber let out a giggle. She stiffed it with her hand, “Sorry. Oh goodness no! I can understand your concern, Ms. Tameran, considering their backgrounds, but no. In here they are safe and well treated. They get,” she made air quotes, “firm love. They just want a place to fit in and learn. All of them are extremely bright and we emphasize cooperation over competition.”

With the tour over Sam and I made our way to the parking lot.

“I think we should leave them alone” she said the moment the car doors closed.

“WHAT!”

“You heard me. Those kids, they are happy and besides even we could get them out, what would we do with them? Adopt them? Take them away from the only friends they know?”

“Or we could wait until the government turns them into child super-soldiers?”

“I’m serious Arty!”

“Then what?”

“I knew we would have to do this sooner or later, I didn’t want to admit it and I’m sorry I pulled away from you Arty, but… we have to stop this war. For those kids and for all of us.”

“You mean go after the Guardians?”

“Yes.”

“Are you ready?” The waves of confidence that emanated from her filled me. “Let’s get back to the hotel. Time to get some payback!”